On December 14th, 2017, Mr. Harry Sanders was awarded the Legion of Honour during a ceremony in presence of volunteers and officials of the Tillsonburg community.

As a Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy, Mr. Sanders was on the troopship MV Monowai which transported a great number of troops to Omaha Beach on D-Day under heavy fire. He continued to deliver troops well after June 6, 1944.

Consul General Marc Trouyet thanked him and all the Canadians who fought to liberate France and help restore our freedom. He underlined that Mr. Sanders’ accomplishments constituted a vibrant reminder of the profound and historic friendship that binds our countries and contributed to create such a special relationship.

“To you HARRY SANDERS and your fallen comrades, thank you so much for fighting by our side for freedom and democracy; thank you for making our families happy, living families; and thank you for making my land a free country. Au nom de la France, je vous fais chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. » – Marc Trouyet, Consul général de France à Toronto

Mr. Sanders dedicated this distinction to his fallen brothers in arms, whose ultimate sacrifice allowed us to live free and in peace.